The Coeliacs of the UK are filing this petition in response to proposed cutbacks by the South East P

The Coeliacs diet is already limited, expensive and has a restrictive impact on the coeliac community and their families. The Gluten Free Diet (GFD) is the only medically proven treatment for us.

Without choice of products Coeliacs will find this diet difficult to adhere to, in particular younger Coeliacs which can eventually bring on serious health complications later in life, namely Osteoporosis, Colon Cancer, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Anaemia and Depression to name but a few. Inevitably, this will place a further strain on NHS resources.

Reducing choice, does not reduce costs.

Gluten Free Food is our ONLY medicine and treatment.

Small Gluten Free suppliers in the UK may also be affected by these cutbacks

One Gluten Free loaf costs approx three pounds, compared to  approx one pound  for a normal non GF loaf.

Please also consider the elderly and families with multiple Coeliacs whose supermarket may be 20 miles away and cannot make the regular trip. It also often happens that supermarkets are temporarily out of stock of GF items.

Every prescribable Gluten Free item must go through a rigid analysis of ingredients approved of MHRA which reduces our risk of ingesting gluten.

Coeliac Disease is a genetic condition that can affect more than one family member as well as other related auto immune conditions. It is not an allergy but a serious lifelong condition that can progress into serious complications if not treated with a strict gluten free diet for life.

We, the undersigned, repectfully ask for  the end of gluten free prescription cuts to coeliacs & the restoration of those imposed by any PCT already and consider:-

*Long term health for Coeliacs

*NHSs counterproductive actions in the longer term as far as NHS resourses are concerned.